SLGR Matchday 28 Preview: PAOK Aim To Clinch Title In Larisa
AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 28 of the 2018/19 Greek SuperLeague.
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The 2018/19 Greek Super League prepares to enter the final stretch this weekend with Matchday 28 action. This is the first of the three final matchdays featuring simultaneous kick-offs for all games. PAOK look to claim the title with victory away to Larisa. It would the first time the league title came back to Thessaloniki since 1985. Elsewhere, Olympiacos will seek to hold on to their slim title hopes by defeating Xanthi. In the battle against relegation, two encounters stand out, Levadiakos trying to stay alive at home to Panionios and a very important match between PAS Giannina and Asteras Tripolis.
Below is a brief match-by-match breakdown of the Sunday’s fixtures:
Larisa - PAOK
It’s hard to look beyond the game at the AEL FC Arena on Sunday as far as The AGONAsport Match of the Week is concerned. Two points from their first title in 34 years, PAOK can win the Super League this weekend with a victory against Larisa or if Olympiacos fail to defeat Xanthi in their match. Larisa won’t be indifferent though. They may be four points above the relegation zone, but with matches to finish off the season against AEK and Olympiacos the Vissini need points to avoid finishing in the bottom four.
Olympiacos - Xanthi
Olympiacos know full well the title race is out of their hands as they prepare to host Xanthi this weekend. It would take a calamitous finish from PAOK now to hand the Erythrolefki the title. If anything, the goa in the final matches of the season for the Piraeus club will be to finish strong and head into the new campaign with some momentum. Xanthi are not at all clear of the relegation battle. A point or better at the Karaiskakis Stadium could end up being crucial.
Lamia - AEK
There will be little to play for in Lamia as the home side take on AEK. Lamia look very likely to stay in the top flight, while AEK appear to have a lock on third position and will be more focused on advancing past Lamia for a place in the Greek Cup final.
Aris - Atromitos
One of the weekend’s more attractive offerings occurs at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium as Aris host Atromitos. It appears at this point that fifth in the league table will lead to a Europa League place. Aris currently hold a five-point lead over Panathinaikos and are the odds-on favorites to find themselves playing continental football next season. A victory over fourth-placed Atromitos though could see the Thessaloniki side snag a top-four finish.
Panathinaikos - OFI Crete
Panathinaikos will look to chase their small hopes of a Europa League spot with a victory at home to OFI. Giorgos Donis’ men did well to defeat Aris last weekend and seem to be finishing the season in better form than their spotty play in the early stages of 2019. OFI will see this as a much they must win or at the very least get a point out of. Failure to do so would see them in a very difficult position with respect to relegation.
Levadiakos - Panionios
Levadiakos’ hopes of Super League survival are hanging by a thread and victory at home to Panionios on Sunday is a must. Even a win will not suffice as the Levadia side are seven points from safety and need a massive degree of help to escape the drop to next season’s second division, the Super League 2. Panionios’ victory versus Larisa last week may have been the result that keeps the Nea Smyrni side up, but they are another side that are not yet mathematically safe.
PAS Giannina - Asteras Tripolis
It promises to be a night of high drama in Giannina as PAS and Asteras Tripolis lock horns in a relegation six-pointer. A victory by either side will not necessarily ensure survival, but it would do a world of good to either team’s chances. This is unfamiliar territory for two clubs who have been battling for Europe consistently for the better part of the last decade.
Apollon Smirnis - Panetolikos
Finally, the slate of matches concludes as Apollon Smirnis and Panetolikos square off. The match at Rizoupoulis is of little interest to anyone. Apollon have long been relegated while Panetolikos are going to finish the season in midtable. If ever a match was played purely for purposes of pride this would be it.
